Section 3 • Programming Instructions
33
3.2.2
PIb Mode
NOTE:
PIb stands for programmable intermittent bolus or automatic bolus; however,
to avoid confusion, this manual uses the term “dose” when referring to PIb or
PIEb. (see Definitions in Section 3.2.2 below).
PIb mode allows the patient to receive regularly occurring doses of medication. These doses are
delivered automatically at regular intervals. There is not a PCA bolus option in this mode (see
Section 3.2.2 for programming instructions).
3.2.2.1
PIb Mode Program Parameters and Definitions.
• A dose is a volume of medication infused over a relatively short period
of time
17
and is programmed to occur at scheduled intervals. Sometimes
a dose is referred to as a programmed intermittent bolus (PIb) or as a
programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEb)
18
. In this manual, the
term “dose” will be used when discussing either PIb or PIEb. The dose
has units of milliliters (ml).
•
The bolus/dose rate is the flow rate at which a bolus or dose is
delivered. It is a higher flow rate than the basal flow rate. In the ambIT
®
PIB
v1.5
pumps, the bolus flow rate varies from 210 ml/hr to 125 ml/hr,
depending on the energy left in the battery. Flow rate accuracy is not
affected by the bolus/dose flow rate. See Section 1.4.1 for an explanation
of how the bolus flow rate changes. The bolus/dose flow rate is not
adjustable.
• Interval or dose interval is the time between the start of one dose and the
start of the next dose. The dose interval has units of hours and minutes
(hh:mm).
• PIb is an acronym for patient-intermittent bolus. If the infusion is into
the epidural space, the PIb is referred to as patient-intermittent epidural
bolus (PIEb)
•
The volume to be infused is the total amount of fluid in the solution
container or reservoir to be infused. The volume to be infused has units
of milliliters (ml).
NOTE:
When programming PIb mode, if the tens and/or ones digits are already set to the
desired setting, press the RUN/PAUSE and the BOLUS buttons at the same time
until a beep is heard to accept the setting and move on to the next step. This option
is not available when a parameter is programmed to its maximum value.
See Section 1.4.1 for an explanation of the pattern of flow available in PIb mode; specifically,
dose only (Figure 1-4).
17
The dose is delivered at a higher flow rate than the basal rate; therefore, for a given volume, the dose is delivered faster.
18 In some publications, the PIB is referred to as an “automated bolus” or “automated mandatory bolus.” This usage is less
common than PIB or PIEB.
